Glen Education Murrumbeena 

Joyful Partnerships

Sammi Vu, Early Childhood Teacher

Sally Vega, Early Childhood Educator 

In relation to the children

The role which joy plays at Glen Murrumbeena Kindergarten is something that we celebrate each day.  We feel a sense of joy when we observe children engaged in activities and learning experience that we set up for them. We are often amazed by the different ways children express themselves during open-ended activities. 

We feel a sense of joy when we can extend on children’s curiosity and inquiries, and us educators and children can have a discussion around the topic and teach each other new things.

We feel a sense of joy when we become the trusted person that children can go to about their problems and that children can feel safe and comfortable around when their parents leave in the morning.

We feel a sense of joy when children invite us into their play and when children engage in activities along our side. We love that they see us as a part of their world, and they know that they can do all their exploring and researching on their own, but we are here when they need us.

In relation to the families

It is a joy to greet the children’s families as they arrive at Glen Murrumbeena Kindergarten, and to update them on how their child’s day has been. As an educator, it is important to be approachable and authentic, so that parents can get to know the ‘real you’. 

It is a joy to hear families sharing about their weekend, their holiday, their trips, and things that happen on days children are not at kindergarten. It helps us learn more about families and children and build strong relationships.

It is a joy to see educators and families working together as a community. We really appreciate families offering their support and wanting to participate in our programs, by bringing fruits and vegetables from their garden for cooking experience, donating toys, games, and books, coming in for a play or reading session with the group, and signing up for Working Bee.

In relation to the team

We feel a sense of joy that we work with a diverse range of educators. Our different backgrounds create a richer and more interesting curriculum for the children. We feel a sense of joy that even though there is a difference in our age, we work well as a team. 

There have been many moments of joy throughout the year. We like the unfiltered discussions we have with children; they come straight from the heart and quite often make us smile. We enjoy watching how music has a positive effect on children and how they interpret it in their own way. We love how they laugh their own made-up jokes which they think are hilarious, and their laugh make us laugh too.

We feel joy when some children teach us things about animals and insects that we do not know. They remind us that learning does not end when we become adults.

Finally, we feel joy when we observe children mastering skills that they previously found challenging. Providing them with the steps to move towards school life is a huge responsibility and amazing opportunity at the same time.